Aug 29, 2008 11:15 AM

DR Inbox: Sororities, Bags, and Fast Chihuahuas

Can someone please explain to me how a defense technology reporter winds up on the spam lists of some c-grade flacks hawking “Sorority Forever,” fantasy football,”Sustainable Bags,” and “America’s Fastest Chihuahua?” (I mean, don’t they know I want to strangle every tiny, yippy dog me and Pablo pass on the street?) Judge for yourself how […]

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The Hidden Math of Ocean Waves

The math behind even the simplest ocean waves is notoriously uncooperative. A team of Italian mathematicians has made major advances toward understanding it.

Unpicking How to Measure the Complexity of Knots

Two mathematicians have proved that a straightforward question—how hard is it to untie a knot?—has a complicated answer.

Teachers Get Death Threats After MAGA Claims Their Halloween Costumes Mocked Charlie Kirk

A Turning Point USA official inaccurately claimed a high school's math department wore Halloween costumes that mocked Charlie Kirk. Those teachers are now facing a flood of online attacks and death threats.

Historians Don't Think a US Civil War Is Likely—but They're Still Nervous

“The fabric of what binds America together at this point is basically on its final thread,” one source tells WIRED.

Nancy Mace Curses, Berates Confused Cops in Airport Meltdown: Police Report

At an airport in South Carolina on Thursday, US representative Nancy Mace called police officers “fucking incompetent” and berated them repeatedly, according to an incident report.

No, ICE (Probably) Didn’t Buy Guided Missile Warheads

A federal contracting database lists an ICE payment for $61,218 with the payment code for “guided missile warheads and explosive components.” But it appears ICE simply entered the wrong code.

Analog Photography: The Beginner’s Guide to Film Cameras

Which film camera should you get? Which films are the best? We demystify the world of analog photography to help you get started.

Climate Change Made Hurricane Melissa 4 Times More Likely, Study Suggests

Unusually warm ocean temperatures fueled one of the worst hurricanes on record. New research finds climate change increased the storm’s likelihood.

Can a Hydroelectric Dam Really Make the Days Longer?

By shifting water to a higher elevation, the giant Three Gorges Dam caused the Earth to spin more slowly.

The Mysterious Math Behind the Brazilian Butt Lift

For years, plastic surgeons thought the proportions of a beautiful buttocks should follow the Fibonacci sequence. Now, people are looking for a more Kardashian shape.

In Orbit You Have to Slow Down to Speed Up

Driving a spacecraft around a planet isn’t anything like driving on a planet. A physicist explains orbital navigation.

The ‘10 Martini’ Proof Connects Quantum Mechanics With Infinitely Intricate Mathematical Structures

The proof, known to be so hard that a mathematician once offered 10 martinis to whoever could figure it out, uses number theory to explain quantum fractals.